|
What is a nerd? (pg. 2)
|
View this Thread in Original format
| MrJiveBoJingles |
| quote: | Originally posted by Lira
But, is my friend? |
You would know best if he fits my description. |
|
|
| Banora |
| quote: | | Gundam (all versions). Star Wars. RPG. Star Trek. Lord of the Rings. Dune. Comics. Graphic Novels. Manga. Magic, the Gathering. Starscream, Dungeons & Dragons. Megaman. Gunman. Batman, Aquaman, Starvation. Esperanto. Klingon. And, finally, even the bloody tea ceremony. |
Add that, plus anime, video games and my intense love of quantum mechanics, blowing stuff up in the name of science, pulling things apart to see how they work and preferring to read a book over going out and that is my nerd list. |
|
|
| Lira |
| quote: | Originally posted by MrJiveBoJingles
You would know best if he fits my description. |
| quote: | Originally posted by Banora
Add that, plus anime, video games and my intense love of quantum mechanics, blowing stuff up in the name of science, pulling things apart to see how they work and preferring to read a book over going out and that is my nerd list. |
Well, he is socially awkward... and though I don't think he blows stuff up, Banora is on the money. My co-worker denerded me.
This thread is now about The Big Bang Theory. And the greatest nerd of all times: Sheldon!
 |
|
|
| MrJiveBoJingles |
It seems like people are trying to make "nerdy interests" into something cool these days.
"I like Star Wars and physics, so I must be a nerd. Go nerds! Go me!"
They forget the social awkwardness part of the equation. Nerd is not just "liking" Star Wars and being a computer programmer. Nerd is letting those interests crowd out "normal" activities like partying, and seeming like you are off in your own little world because you are thinking about them all the time. |
|
|
| Lira |
| You're just jealous they want to be like you, sex line sensei! :cool: |
|
|
| SYSTEM-J |
I define a geek or nerd as someone who has been marginalised and bullied throughout their formative years for their lack of social skills and physical/sporting prowess and reacts by developing an interest in escapist culture, whether it is videogames, fantasy writing/boardgaming/role playing, comic books or science fiction. Almost all geek culture, including just about everything on your list (except Starsky & Hutch... I don't get that one) is defined by two things:
1) Vividly realised and identifiably estranged fictional universe, usually fleshed out through extensive word-building diegesis (fictional languages, difficult to pronounce names, detailed geographic rendering). The point of this is for the geek to escape their own miserable reality into a fictional world where they can immerse themselves and forget about their problems.
2) A transcedental non-physical power or ability: superpowers (both comic book and anime), the Matrix, the Force, magic, occultism, trans-humanism, power suits, mechs, lycanthropy, weaponry, technology etc. In computer games the game itself is the actualisation of this non-physical ability. This element is crucial because it allows the nerd/geek to fantasise about possessing this power that is granted without any physical potency or ability.
Basically, the geek lives in a world of social misery where they have no influence. Geek culture is about escapist worlds where they would have great influence. Because geeks tend to live ostracised social lives in their youth, they lag behind with the development of social skills into their later life and retain many childish tendencies and interests.
Contrary to common perception, an interest in science and/or technology is not necessarily geeky: most of the science graduates or IT professionals I know aren't remotely geeky outside their job. I guess these people have an intense interest and mastery of esoteric and technical information that is superficially similar to geekdom.
Also contrary to common perception, geeks are not ing smart. Geek interests are rarely very deep or thoughtful and emphasise puerile wish-fulfillment and escapism over intellectualism. The exclusivity of geek culture is also a protective shield against criticisms - criticise something a geek likes and you're accused of not knowing enough about it. You can't judge anime unless you learn Japanese and watch the originals, a fantasy novel can't be dismissed until you've read all 27 volumes and found out how the saga unfolds.
And yes, I know some smart-ass is going to label me a geek for writing out such a weighty post on the subject. |
|
|
| Halcyon+On+On |
| Nono, you qualify as a dweeb. |
|
|
| Danny Ocean |
| you're a dork, not a nerd. |
|
|
| MrJiveBoJingles |
| quote: | | Originally posted by SYSTEM-J |
Is interest in fantasy worlds really a requirement, or just something that usually comes along for the ride with social marginalization? |
|
|
| Lira |
| quote: | Originally posted by SYSTEM-J
And yes, I know some smart-ass is going to label me a geek for writing out such a weighty post on the subject. |
That's great! First my co-worker denerds me, now you're going to outgeek me too!? :p
Just kidding, it makes sense.
| quote: | Originally posted by SYSTEM-J
Starsky & Hutch... I don't get that one
|
Read that paragraph again. Whenever I cited "Gundam", something beginning with "Star-" followed. That's why I jokingly butchered the title of "Battlestar Gallactica". It's incredible how often these nerdy things happen in space :p
| quote: | Originally posted by SYSTEM-J
(Your actual point) |
I agree with you, and the reason why I posted this thread is because I was talking to Kaoru about it yesterday night. I happen to know a fair share of otakus/weeabos, and their addiction to fantasy worlds in a distant land where everyone is super-cute (or a robot) always seemed to conceal the need to have an actual social life. The greatest weeabo girl I met became a lesbian because "she couldn't find a guy that loved her, so she turned to women instead". I don't think she's any happier now, but that's beside the point.
So, yeah, you're right. |
|
|
| Moongoose |
| quote: | Originally posted by Banora
Add that, plus anime, video games and my intense love of quantum mechanics, blowing stuff up in the name of science, pulling things apart to see how they work and preferring to read a book over going out and that is my nerd list. |
Add that plus astrophysics, programming, overclocking anysthing that can be overclocked (and some things that dont and for the good of humanity never should be), finance (looking and being fascinated by numbers is quite nerdy) and probably some other stuff that i cant think off right now.
Though video games seem much less nerdy when you hear your hot former coworker (not nerd hot, beauty competition hot - tall, blonde and with breats that would have Lira's seal of approval) talk about how she spend all of fridays night trying to kill the High Dragon without the help of Wynne because she hasnt taken the Mages Tower quest yet. |
|
|
| SYSTEM-J |
| quote: | Originally posted by MrJiveBoJingles
Is interest in fantasy worlds really a requirement, or just something that usually comes along for the ride with social marginalization? |
A lot of people are marginalised, it's about their reaction to it. "Fantasy worlds" themselves aren't necessarily geeky either - it's more about escapism than fantasy in itself. You wouldn't call magic realism a geeky genre. |
|
|
|
|
